To them that crab a lesson will be,
To make them smart sailors in the Queen's Navee.
And that these Liliputian men on board the _Exmouth_ become smart
sailors is vouchsafed not only by Captain-Superintendent Bourchier,
and his capable chief officer, Mr. Wellman; not only by the brigantine
_Steadfast_, the three-decker's sailing tender, and, as our
illustration shows, a bold, handsome yacht, of 100 tons burden, with
roomy decks and comfortable quarters for fifty lads; but it is also
vouchsafed by her weather-beaten commander, Mr. Thomas Hall, than whom
there is scarcely a more confidence-inspiring, able salt. Indeed, our
Navy owes much to this brigantine. Apart from the nautical training
she affords to the _Exmouth_ boys, it is she who, by means of her
constant cruises to southern and western ports, brings her complement
of excellently taught youths to the direct notice of the captains of
our men-of-war. How much they appreciate the budding sailors thus
brought before them is shown by the fact that on each return from such
a cruise the crew of the brigantine is considerably reduced. But not
in consequence of desertions. No, the men-of-war men like the lads,
and the lads like the men-of-war men. So it comes to pass that the
sailor-boys of London's Training Ship _Exmouth_ become blue-jackets
of the Nation and her Queen. And once embarked upon this career we
may safely leave them, although, reader, I would fain tell you yet of
the large and exceptionally skilled band on board the three-decker
which supplies our Navy and, particularly, our Army with so many
able musicians every year. I would fain tell you of the Infirmary
and its devoted matron, and of the Shipping Home at Limehouse, kept
in connection with the training ship for the purpose of providing to
the _Exmouth_ lads berths on board merchantmen, and of affording them
some safe anchorage when momentarily without a vessel through no fault
of their own. I would fain enlist your co-operation in agitating for
the increase of training ships such as the one I have endeavoured to
describe to you, inasmuch as in these, I hold, lies the strength of our
future Navy and supremacy of the seas. But space does not permit me.
May I be at least consoled by the hope that I have roused your interest
in, and kindled your sympathy for, the _Exmouth_ and her officers and
crew.
[Illustration: LEAVING THE SHIP.]
[Illustration: